Camping areas around Covesville, Virginia sit at elevations between 650-1,200 feet in the eastern foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F during day and 55-65°F at night, with higher humidity levels than the western side of the mountains. Most campsites in this area offer partial to full shade, which helps moderate temperatures during warmer months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Half-mile to challenging summit routes: At Sherando Lake Campground, you can access both family-friendly paths and more difficult trails. "There are big loop and small loop hiking trails close by," notes Jean J., while another camper mentions, "There are also some kickass trails that climb to the Blue Ridge Parkway and intersect with the AT."
Waterfall exploration: Short drive from campsites: The Crabtree Falls Campground provides direct access to one of the region's most scenic waterfall hikes. "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed," explains Britt S. This campground lets you "walk 15 min up the road to the waterfall hike - parking can be crazy up there but you can walk!"
Dark sky stargazing: International Dark Sky Park: James River State Park offers exceptional night viewing opportunities with minimal light pollution. "The night sky was amazing. You could see stars for miles," reports Kaylee G. Another visitor adds: "This park has been named an International Dark Sky Park," making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Riverside sites: Direct water access: The Canoe Landing Group Campsite at James River State Park provides waterfront camping. "Camping along the river is great in the slower seasons. The sites are pretty close together so I'm sure it would be much more cramped when it's busy but it's a beautiful place. And you can fish right off the bank less than 50 yards from your tent," Christina notes.
Brewery access: Walking distance to craft beer: Devils Backbone Camp offers a unique camping experience with "walking distance to devils backbone brewery. Clean bathrooms. Close distance to hiking trails and other breweries and cideries," according to Chyna K. Another camper adds, "Love that you can just walk to the brewery from your site. We had two tents on an RV spot because their tent sites were full."
Clean facilities: Recently renovated bathhouses: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at area campgrounds. At Sherando Lake, "The shower houses are at the center of each loop and have been rebuilt to ACA standard with in the last five years." Another reviewer notes Devils Backbone has "some of the nicest facilities of any campground I've stayed at" with "the bathhouse was top notch! Squeaky clean with lots of space."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Prepare for weather variations: Summer temperatures can affect camping comfort, especially in tent sites. A camper at Loft Mountain Campground notes: "It was SO HOT when we were there... The shower was about 0.3 miles away. They charge $5 for 10 min, which you have to pay in quarters."
Wildlife awareness: Bear activity reported: Multiple campgrounds in the region have documented bear visits. "A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" reports a camper at Sherando Lake. Most campsites provide food storage lockers or boxes.
Reservation timing: Book early for peak season: The most popular dog friendly campgrounds near Covesville fill quickly during summer months. "The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," notes a Sherando Lake camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple activity options: Sun Retreats Shenandoah Valley (formerly Shenandoah Acres) offers extensive recreation for children. "There's always tons of activities to do for everyone of age. Gold cart parades, crafts hours, poker run, corn hole tournaments. And of course their lake that has two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar," explains a seasonal camper.
Site selection: Consider location factors: When choosing family sites, bathhouse proximity matters. At Sherando Lake, one parent advises, "We always get campsite A13, which is right across from the bathrooms. Very convenient with kids. The site is pretty secluded with trees, so you can't see your neighbors."
Swimming options: Lakes versus rivers: Water access varies significantly across campgrounds. At James River State Park, "Swimming is not advised due to rocks and drop-offs, but people were in the river, anyhow." Meanwhile, Misty Mountain Camp Resort offers a swimming pool, and Shenandoah Acres features a lake with "two jumping decks, water slide, snack bar."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Full versus partial connections: Devil's Backbone Camp has a unique hookup arrangement. "The hookups in this area were different than I have ever experienced as the hookups were shared between two sites. If you were on an even number site, this was no problem. However, if you were on an odd number site, you either had to hope you had the length on your water and power lines."
Site levelness: Prepare for adjustments: At Misty Mountain Camp Resort, "RV section is typical style in a large field. Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field." However, some sites require work, as one RVer notes: "Some sites (like #9) had a septic cap that was too high. We didn't have those things to raise the hose up, so I had to manually lift and empty the hose for the duration."
Pet-friendly considerations: Dog friendly campgrounds near Covesville typically have designated exercise areas. Many campers appreciate the variety of terrain for walking pets, from woodland trails to open fields. Most locations enforce standard leash rules, with specific off-leash areas at selected campgrounds.
Scout
